Tag: Jordan

Jordan Says 27 Drug Smugglers Killed at Border With Syria

AMMAN—Jordanian soldiers killed 27 armed smugglers on Thursday as they tried to cross the border from Syria during a dawn snowstorm with a large quantity of amphetamines, an army spokesman said. Others also carrying drugs fled back into Syria during the attempted crossing, one of a growing number of such incidents over the past year,…


The Road of the Kings

The Tariq al-Sultani—Road of Kings—winds its way 1200 kilometers along the mountains that separate the Dead Sea from the desert high plateaus. It follows the old route of the Hebrews led by Moses. The Bible refers to this road for the first time. In this episode, we will cross the Edom Region, Jordan, and Syria…


Biden Calls Jordan King a Loyal Ally in ‘Tough Neighborhood’

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden praised King Abdullah II of Jordan as a stalwart ally in a “tough neighborhood” as the two leaders huddled at the White House on Monday, a meeting that came at a pivotal moment for both leaders in the Middle East. Last week a Jordanian state security court sentenced two former officials to…


Two Jordanians Sentenced to 15 Years Over Alleged Royal Plot

AMMAN, Jordan—A Jordanian state security court on Monday sentenced two former officials to serve 15 years in prison over an alleged plot against the Western-allied monarchy involving the half-brother of King Abdullah II. Bassem Awadallah, who has U.S. citizenship and once served as a top aide to King Abdullah II, and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid,…


In Jordan Sedition Trial, US Defendant Alleges Torture

AMMAN, Jordan—A U.S. citizen and former top aide to Jordan’s King Abdullah II alleged he was tortured in Jordanian detention and fears for his life, his U.S.-based lawyer said Sunday, on the eve of a verdict in the high-profile sedition trial linked to a rare public rift in the kingdom’s ruling family. Along with the…


Irvine Family Blames Airline for Cat’s Death During International Flight

IRVINE, Calif.—An Irvine family’s flight to Jordan ended in despair after their cat died due to extreme heat while in the cargo storage of a plane. Sam the cat began his June 8 travels with owner Haba Mahmoud, who was departing from Los Angeles International Airport with her two daughters, Taya and Maya Salman. The family was flying to…


Jordan’s King Abdullah and Estranged Prince Hamza Make First Joint Appearance Since Rift

AMMAN—Jordan’s King Abdullah and former crown prince and half-brother Prince Hamza made their first joint appearance since a rift shook the country, attending a ceremony on Sunday marking 100 years of independence. State media showed the monarch and other members of the royal family laying wreaths at the memorial to the unknown soldier and tombs…